Hello 2026! We have been cranking through the gears, dusting off those festive cobwebs and getting excited about all things advertising in 2026. It’s going to be a good year and a big one too for us at the AA as we celebrate our centenary.
The year started with wonderful news about honours for some key people in AA land: Alessandra Bellini, our former President and now UK Chair of Ad Net Zero, Seb Munden, our former Vice Chair and now Global Chair of Ad Net Zero (and fellow author) and Marie Owen, our fantastic AA Scotland Chair all being recognised in the King’s Honours, amongst others.
More honours via the IPA for Ale once again and other legends including Joyce Kelso who has retired and will be much missed (thanks to her for all the support for sustainability and Ad Net Zero). The AdWanted Year Ahead was, once again, the place to be as the Waldorf ballroom filled with media, marketing and advertising folk and the debate raged about what this year will bring for our industry. Difficult to escape chatter about AI, but also the economy (what shape it will take), trust – both consumer but also trust within the advertising ecosystem, the predictions of a return to brand-building, the boost in ad spend from the World Cup and, of course, the unpredictability of geopolitics right now.
There’s much more to come as we prepare for, and make the most of, what happens in the wider economy, here at home and internationally. Certainly enough to keep us well stocked with new things to write about each week in this note to you!
Our must reads:
- The Less Healthy Food ad ban came into force on Monday and our Director of Public and External Affairs, Chris Walker, spoke in the media rounds to start the week. (BBC)
- Karen Martin, IPA president and BBH CEO, writes about the uniquely human contribution that makes creativity such an economic force. (LBB)
- Industry leaders have given their predictions and early-year mindsets for 2026. (The Media Leader)
- Allwyn’s Steve Parkinson and other brand leaders have predicted which consumer and marketing trends will be successful in the year ahead. (Campaign)
Our pick of the ads:
- Our Ad in the A is by McCann Manchester, highlighting the post-gym ‘Feel-Good Glow’ you receive after visiting PureGym.
- MOSAIC has put a spotlight on the power of news in their second iteration of ‘Times Change. The Times remains’ for The Times and The Sunday Times.
- BBH London has used nursery rhymes to highlight how Experian can help people make better financial decisions in ‘Better your Story’.
- ITV is starting 2026 with a shiny new brand campaign ‘There’s no place like ITV’ by ITV Creative.
Dates for your diary:
- Trusted Advertising: How to harness the value of trust in your brand is a new book written by myself and James Best, Chair of CAP, that comes out on 3 February. Pre-order your copy here.
- Registrations for the third cohort of the Newsworks Academy are now live, with the free learning course going live on 3 February. Register here.
- Just under one month to go until LEAD, the annual industry summit which will celebrate our centenary year. Join us on 5 February here.
- Early bird tickets are selling fast for our Media Business Course, taking place from 7-10 July. Learn about the art and craft of media planning from the best in the business. Book your place here.
- Safer Internet Day is taking place on 10 February. Find out more here.
And finally, entries are now open for ITV’s Head First Award, where creative agenies, brands and media agencies are invited to enter bold, creative TV campaigns which encourage the nation to take small, meaningful steps towards better mental health. And, there is a total prize fund of £1 million in ITV airtime up for grabs. Find out more here.
